Improvement in lubricators for vertical shaftings



Isa-1 LEWlSfAGlN.

Improvement in Lubricator fof Vertical Shafting. No. 118,105, PatehtedSep. 5,1871.

Fig.1.

Fig, 2

INVENTOR b UNITED STATES LEWIS FAGIN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN LUBRICATORS FOR VERTICAL SHAFTINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,705, datedSeptember 5, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS FAGIN, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio,have invented a certain Self LubricatOr for Vertical Shafting, Spindles,&c., of which the following is a specification:

The centrifugal motion and great end pressure accompanying the use ofheavy vertical shafts drives the lubricating material toward theperiphery of the shaft with so much force as to soon displace thelubricant and leave the central portion dry; consequently it soonbecomes heated and sometimes actually welded to the step, and is thusrendered immovable so as to stop the entire mill or factory for anindefinite period.

My improvement consists, mainly, in providing lower ends of verticalshafts, spindles, &c., with a series of grooves or channels leading fromthe periphery to the center, and so formed and disposed as to make therotation of the shaft itself the effective means of forcing thelubricating material to the center of the bearing surface, whence itescapes as wanted in every direction outward, so as to completely andconstantly lubricate all parts in proportion as the velocity of theshaft demands, alternate ones of said grooves having a reverse curve orinclination, so as to he brought in action when the sh aft is reversed.The invention further consists in the provision of a central reservoirin connection with such grooves. Also, in a removable toe connected tothe shaft by a screw j oint.

Figure 1 is a partially-sectionized elevation of a shaft and bearingprovided with my improved self-lubricatin g devices, and Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the lower end of the toe of the shaft.

The preferred form of my improvement is as follows: A represents anupright shaft or spindle, having a screw-threaded portion, a, forengagement with a toe or end piece, B. The shaft is preferably ofwroughtiron and the toe of east-steel, but other materials may beemployed; for example, the toe may be of cast-iron, having its lower endor sole suitably chilled in casting. The end or under surface of thistoe is provided with a series of grooves or channels, (3, in the form ofcircular arcs, that intersect at the center and extend to the peripheryof the shaft. The curve and direction of the grooves are such that oneor the other end will infallibly gather and force oil to the center ofthe shaft, whence the centrifugal motion will carry it as fast as it iswanted over the whole surface.

In the preferred form of my improvement a chamber or reservoir, D, isformed in the center of the toe or shaft, into which all the groovesempty as into a common reservoir. These channels may have therepresented curved contour, or be of any other suitable shape, so as toforce a current of oil toward the center or reservoir D whenever theshaft is rotated.

If preferred, one or more loose cast-steel disks, E, with faces similarto that of the toe, may be placed beneath the toe B, and both the disksand toe may stand in an ordinary cast-iron stepbox, I. The principalfunction of the loose disks is to divide the motion between them and thetoe. They also enable the adjustment of the shaft as required or to takeup wear. The grooves, owing to their shape and location, co-operate withthe rotation of the shaft to cause the streams of oil or other lubricantto be forced to the center of the shaft or toe, from whence thecentrifugal motion distributes it over the whole surface of the shaftend or toe, and thereby secures a perfect lubrication, no matter howrapidly the shaft may be revolved or which way it may run.

I am aware that grooves have been provided in the face of the toe of avertical shaft to permit the lubricant to flow in toward the center, andthat loose disks similarly constructed have been employed.

I do not, therefore, claim grooves in the faces of the toe B and disksE, nor the provision of such disks, broadly considered.

I claim as my invention-- 1. The grooves G in the face of the toe B andsupporting-disks E, when formed and arranged as shown and described, soas to cause streams of the lubricant to be forced to the center byrotation of the shaft in either direction, as set forth.

2. The central pit or reservoir D, in combination with the said groovesG, as and for the purpose described.

3. An improved shaft or spindle-bearing, consisting of shaft A a, toe BO D, disk E, and step F, as and for the purpose described.

4. The detachable toe B, having a screw-threaded connection, a, with itsshaft.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

LEWIS FAGIN.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, J AMIES H. LAYMAN.

